Senate Demands Governor Sakaja’s Arrest for Skipping Hearing
On Thursday, April 11, the Senate Energy Committee instructed Police Inspector General Japhet Koome to apprehend Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
This follows the failure of the latter to attend a summons regarding the Miradi gas explosion that happened earlier this year in the Embakasi area of Nairobi.
The governor was fined Ksh500,000 by the legal obligations for leaders who unjustifiably miss parliamentary summons.
Following the governor’s apprehension, IG Koome received orders to bring Sakaja before the committee on the morning of April 25th.
“Whoever is protecting Johnson Sakaja must know he is an accomplice and must look in the mirror and let justice prevail,” commented Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina.
“National Police Service, if you believe in following the law arrest Mr Sakaja and deliver him to the Senate,” Ledama added.
The Nairobi governor has a history of being fined for not attending Senate sessions. Recently, on April 8, the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC) cautioned Sakaja for his absence during the committee’s summons.
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The committee’s action led to them giving the governor a two-week ultimatum to come forward and respond to the audit questions.
In November of the previous year, the Senate likewise ordered the apprehension of Sakaja and his Nakuru colleague, Susan Kihika.
The pair was additionally penalized with a fine of Ksh500,000 for their absence from the sessions without a valid explanation.
This occurred after the summoning of two governors to appear before a senate committee, tasked with addressing audit inquiries raised by the Auditor General regarding Water Companies within their counties spanning from fiscal years 2018 to 2021.
Initially, both Governors asked the committee to reschedule their appearances due to being abroad. However, the committee found their explanation unsatisfactory.
In a statement, the committee elaborated on the vital importance of governors maintaining accountability in delivering services.
Senate Demands Governor Sakaja’s Arrest for Skipping Hearing